KRIS BEARD (left) and George Brietigam with the new “West Garden Grove” sign (Facebook).

West Garden Grove is getting more visibility as a new sign is up along an  offramp from the San Diego (405) Freeway.

The sign was installed on Monday by Cal Trans, and points motorists toward the western portion of Garden Grove, generally considered to be that part of the city west of Beach Boulevard.

It came about as a result of an effort by Kris Beard, former Garden Grove councilmember and present District 1 Councilmember George Brietigam to raise the profile of the area, which is also known as “West Grove.” The 2010 census showed the population there at 16,333.

HB police officers feed the hungry again

The Huntington Beach Police Officers Association will hold its second event to feed the hungry and those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with an event Tuesday, May 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach.

A pick-up/drive through system with proper social distancing is planned.

The HBPOA Foundation is partnering with J&K Beef Jerky to donate to Old World Village to prepare hundreds of meals. The Ocean View School District, a K-8 school system serving northern Huntington Beach and parts of several cities, is providing volunteers and helping their students and families in need.

To donate for this or future food deliveries, go to: https//www.hbpoa.org/donate

Los Amigos staff collects $10,000 for needy

The staff at Los Amigos High School in Garden Grove Unified School District collected $10,000, mostly of their own money, to help their students and families who are facing financial hardship because of the coronavirus crisis.

LOS AMIGOS High School Math Department Chair Christi Montes (left) and Librarian Christina Fenner helped organize donations from the staff at LAHS to help the school’s families and students in need as a result of the COVID-19 crisis (GGUSD photo).

The idea came from teachers Kerry Bernhardt and Babak Mobasseri who were discussing how distance learning and the current work-from-home environment has allowed them to save money on gas, car insurance and similar expenses. The teachers wondered how they could use the money they saved to help Los Amigos students and their families.

Under the leadership of Los Amigos Librarian Christina Fenner and Math Department Chair Christi Montes, staff donated $7300, including funds from their own government stimulus checks. SchoolsFirst Credit Union chipped in $1,000 and students in the school’s Girls’ League donated $2,500.

Teachers and counselors generated a list of students, whose families are struggling and sent the families $100 Walmart gift cards, a list of local resources, and a note of encouragement.